FATE'S SECOND CALL

TER

EEN PAST

drifted through the air. It was like a bolt of lightning-sharp, undeniable, an

nmistakable. *No,* Elena thought, her mind screaming for control. He had rejected her, cast

espite her resolve to keep running. The world around

mi

, but there was no mistaking the intensity in his gaze. For a long moment,

mind. His words from the night she was cast aside echoed in her

. The need to run, to escape him once again, surged through her. But he

ht he might walk toward her. But then he turned and disappeared into t

, trying to shake the dizziness that threatened to overtake her. She ne

till have thi

did

step felt like a betrayal of the promise she had made to herself-to never let him back in

-

elf standing in front of a small, nondescript apartment building. She had no idea what to expect, only that

ing her lungs. It wasn't much, but it would be hers. She dropped her bag on the bed

would rais

eality of the situation, a knock o

stay alert. She glanced toward the window, but there was no sign of anyone out

ked, trying to keep

me. Cl

opened the door, and her best friend stoo

oice catching in her throat as

ze flickering to Elena's face. "Are you okay? Y

a smile that didn't quite reach her e

ena, you're shaking. You look like you've seen a

hanging between them, unspoken but fe

w him. He was-he was just s

He doesn't deserve you. But we can't keep running f

ge of the windowsill. "I don't want to make

nd placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're not the same person you were when you left

them away. "I don't know what to do. He... he rejected m

e forever. If you're ready to fight for your future, then you'll have to face him. I know it'

nto her heart. She hadn't thought about it that way-

was

ted, her voice barely a whisper.

her, pulling her into a hug. "But you can't kee

e door again. This time, it was not a friendly face.

. Open

as D